Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has once again been caught off-guard by the predictable arrival of winter, leaving the Valley in a state
of near-total paralysis. The failure of the regional power grid, which saw electricity generation plummet from 1650 MW to a staggering 93 MW, alongside the complete closure of some important road links, has exposed the chronic lack of infrastructure preparedness.
Despite claims of readiness, authorities were forced into an emergency rescue of over tourists, patients who became trapped on unmanaged, icy roads, highlighting a systemic failure to maintain the region’s only lifelines during inclement weather. The rural population in the valley expressed resentment over the lack of basic facilities.
Highways and runways shut down
The heavy snowfall turned the Valley into an isolated island. The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, the region’s sole all-weather connection to the rest of the country, remained closed due to extreme slipperiness and heavy snow accumulation. Similarly, the Mughal Road highway is impassable.
The disruption extended to the skies, where flight operations at Srinagar Airport were completely suspended on Friday. The air traffic was restored on Saturday after remaining suspended for a day due to heavy snowfall.
Poor visibility and snow-clogged runways forced the cancellation of all scheduled flights, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded without clear alternatives.
The power outage and rescue operations
Before the first snowflake even settled, gusty winds on Thursday night ravaged the local power infrastructure, uprooting trees that crushed vehicles and snapped power lines. While officials claim that 80% of the network was restored by Saturday evening, many residents in Srinagar and the surrounding hilly districts remained in the dark.
The logistical nightmare was most evident in the tourist corridors. The Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a massive operation to move 1,000 guests from Tangmarg to Gulmarg and another 600 in the opposite direction. The rescue required 4×4 SUVs equipped with anti-skid chains, as standard government road maintenance proved insufficient for the 50 cm of snow in the resort and the four feet of snow in the upper reaches.
The famous destination became a hazard zone as roads turned into ice rinks, causing vehicles to skid uncontrollably and halting all vehicular movement as the snow had been cleared for one-way traffic movement.
Government failures come to light
Residents voiced strong anger over what they call a lack of preparedness by the authorities to tackle the snowfall crisis. The local residents in the valley say the hardship is not new and could have been avoided with timely action and prior preparedness.
“This is not the first time people in the valley are suffering because of snowfall. If the government knew there was a forecast of heavy snow, they should have set the entire machinery in motion in advance,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local farmer. He pointed to the grim reality on the ground, where administrative apathy has left several areas cut off. “The saddest part is that roads in many parts of Kashmir are still not cleared, forcing people to carry patients on foot to hospitals for emergency treatment,” he added.
Some rural areas of the valley witnessed around 4-5 feet of snow, disconnecting the population completely from the rest of the region. The lack of basic amenities left the people in deep misery. Abdul Rashid, a resident of Kanidajan village in central Kashmir, slammed the government for claiming that the complete restoration has been done with all emergency services restored. “If clearing the runway for an aeroplane is restoration, then we (villagers) deserve silent death. All media channels are showing tourists enjoying, air traffic restored, but no one speaks about the rural life, if we don’t exist,” he complained.
“Whatever is shown on social media is fake, and this government has failed again to fulfil its promises. We took patients on foot to the hospital, which is almost 10 kilometres. Don’t we deserve a single 4 by 4 vehicle for this kind of situation?” he questioned.
Agricultural community felt relieved
While the government struggled with the logistics, the agricultural community felt relieved. The snowfall has ended a dangerously long dry spell that threatened the region’s famous orchards. Farmers and tourism stakeholders expressed relief, hoping the moisture would revive the parched land, even as they navigated the immediate chaos of the blackout and road closures.
Winter games amid hurdles
The fresh snow has provided a dramatic backdrop for the ongoing ‘Winter Games in Leh-Ladakh’ under the Khelo India initiative. However, the same weather that makes the games possible has created “significant logistical hurdles” for organisers and participants trying to navigate the blocked mountain passes.
More chaos ahead
The respite may be short-lived. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning that a new western disturbance is set to enter the system on Monday. This system is expected to bring another heavy spell of snow to an already struggling region. Authorities have issued a stern advisory for citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to higher reaches, as disaster management teams remain on high alert for the next wave of the winter crisis.
CM chaired meeting amid criticism
Amid mounting criticism, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation arising from heavy snowfall. He directed all concerned departments to prioritise the restoration of power supply, ensure uninterrupted water and healthcare services, clear roads, and maintain overall connectivity. District administrations were also instructed to remain on high alert and extend timely assistance to people in need.
